Indian Cumin Seed (Jeera) — Mahesana Origin | Export Grade

Grading & Quality

• Purity: 98%+ (singles/Europe quality, machine-cleaned)
• Volatile oil content: 2.5%+ typical
• Moisture: max 9–10%
• Admixture & foreign matter: <1%
• Color: uniform greenish-brown, characteristic cumin aroma
• Free from live insect infestation at dispatch

Packing & Handling

• Grade: Singles / Europe quality (machine-cleaned, 98%+ purity)
• Pack: 25kg / 50kg PP woven bags, laminated, moisture-resistant
• Shelf life: 12+ months in proper dry, pest-controlled storage
• Shipped in standard dry containers — moisture barrier essential
• Fumigation certificate provided per shipment

Geographic Origin

Mahesana district, Gujarat — home to Unjha, the world's largest spot market for cumin seed. Mahesana accounted for 68.4% of Gujarat's cumin export value in 2025 (₹2,597 Cr). India supplies approximately 60–70% of global cumin exports; Mahesana is the single most influential price-setting origin. Cumin prices are notoriously volatile — lock forward contracts early. Non-ETO, EU pesticide MRL compliant stock is the default for European buyers.

Farmer Partnership

Sourced from farming networks across Mahesana and North Gujarat — farm-to-port traceability with full documentation chain.

What This Means for You

• Best pricing: Mar–May, right after harvest
• Cumin prices are notoriously volatile — lock contracts early to manage price risk
• Recommended contract lock-in: 4–6 weeks before required shipment month

Secure Your Allocation

New Rabi crop arrives March. Book ahead of the price recovery to lock in new-crop pricing.

Mandatory

• APEDA Registration
• FSSAI License
• Fumigation Certificate
• Pesticide MRL test report
• Certificate of Origin

Market-Specific

• EU: ETO (ethylene oxide) sterilization compliance — a frequently flagged issue for Indian cumin
• Salmonella testing on request

Transit Times

• UAE: 5–8 days
• Bangladesh: 7–12 days
• China: 15–20 days
• USA: 25–30 days

Documents Provided

• Commercial Invoice & Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Certificate of Origin
• Phytosanitary Certificate
• Fumigation Certificate

Top Export Markets

• UAE736 Cr
• Bangladesh694 Cr
• China326 Cr
• USA270 Cr
• Nepal189 Cr
• Turkey165 Cr

Unjha, in Mahesana district of Gujarat, is the world's largest spot market for cumin seed. Gujarat produces approximately 65–70% of India's total cumin, and India supplies an estimated 60–70% of global cumin exports. Mahesana district alone accounted for 68.4% of Gujarat's cumin export value in 2025 (₹2,597 Cr). The depth of processing, grading, and trading infrastructure here makes it the single most influential price-setting market in the global cumin supply chain.

The EU banned ETO as a post-harvest sterilant in 2020 (EC Regulation 2015/868, reinforced 2021). Indian spices — especially cumin — have repeatedly been flagged on the EU RASFF rapid alert system for ETO residues, triggering increased border sampling frequency since 2021. We address this proactively: we do not use ETO sterilisation, supply pesticide MRL test reports per batch (GCMS/LCMS, accredited lab), and can provide Salmonella test results. Specify 'non-ETO' on your enquiry — it is our default for EU-bound shipments.

We supply 98%+ purity, machine-cleaned (Singles/Europe quality). Volatile oil content: 2.5%+ typical — tested per batch, report shared with shipment. Volatile oil is the primary quality marker for aroma intensity and is what oleoresin processors pay a premium for. If you have a minimum volatile oil specification, share it and we'll source to match.

Cumin has the most volatile price curve in our spice range — prices have moved 40–80% within a single season in recent years. Root causes: single annual Rabi harvest (Feb–Mar), speculative domestic holding by traders, and sensitivity to Gujarat sowing-area changes. We strongly recommend price-locking at or shortly after the March harvest rather than buying spot mid-season. Contact us for today's FOB Mundra indicative price — we update it weekly.

Yes. EU cumin requires compliance with EC 396/2005 pesticide MRL limits and zero-tolerance on ETO. We supply: pesticide MRL test report per batch (GCMS/LCMS, accredited lab), non-ETO declaration, and microbiological report on request. Third-party pre-shipment inspection available if required by your buyer or issuing bank.

Standard MOQ: 1×20ft FCL. Samples of 1–5kg available for first-time buyers; cost adjusted against your first bulk order. Payment for first orders: 60% advance + 40% against BL copy. Terms improve progressively — 50/50 on second order, 40/60 on third. LC at sight available for established buyers.